Essential reading for today’s transport workerIssue No 9, Volume 5 www.rmt.org.uk November 2004

RMTnewsEWShoistedby theirownpetardRMT winshistoriccourt victory

INSIDE: ● Tube safety victory ● Action on Tonnage tax ● Act on level crossings ● 35 hour week for LUL station staff ● Fighting P&O job cuts ● Guards under siege ● Traffic wardens win Vinci dispute ● Supporting unions in Iraq ● Prize crossword

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2

CONTENTSPage 4 Franchise update

Page 5 Road transport

Page 6 Act on level crossings

Page 7 Tube victory

Page 8 & 9 Action on Tonnage Tax/ Parliamentary report

Page 10 & 11 P&O

Page 12 & 13 Tube safety victory

Page 14 & 15 A tale of two hats

Page 16 & 17 EWS

Page 18 PCS on strike

Page 19 Guards role under seige

Page 21 Iraq appeal

Page 22 & 23 Women and theunion

Page 24 & 25 President’s column/ RMT merchandise

Page 26 European round-up

Page 27 Tommy Sheridan MSP

Page 28 Prize crossword / Letter /Classfieds

Page 29 Dispatches / Activists’corner

Page 30 How to join the CreditUnion

RMT News is compiled and originated by theNational Union of Rail, Maritime & TransportWorkers, Unity House, 39 Chalton Street, LondonNW1 1JD. Tel: 020 7387 4771. Fax: 020 7529 8808.email bdenny@rmt.org.uk. The information contained in this publication is believed to be correct but cannot be guaranteed. All rightsreserved.RMT News is designed by Michael Croninand printed by Leycol Printers. General Editor:General Secretary Bob Crow. Managing Editor:Brian Denny. No part of this document may bereproduced without prior written approval of RMT.No liability is accepted for any errors or omissions.© Copyright RMT 2003.

3

THE terrible derailment of a high-speed train at Ufton Nervetnear Reading has shown oncemore that action needs to be

taken to make our rail network safer.This union has long warned of thedangers of level crossings, and is nowcalling for a programme to replacethem with road-bridges or underpasseson lines carrying high-speed traffic.

Now, of course, private rail operatorshave attacked such safety measures ascosting too much while they continueto suck billions out of the industry inprofits. However, a ten-yearprogramme to replace all 1,700 ‘active’crossings would cost less than £200million a year. To keep things inperspective, Network Rail spends £14million every day, and some £5 billion isinvested in Britain’s railways every year.

After Tebay and other engineeringaccidents this year in which eighttrack-workers have been killed, RMThas called for an inquiry into safety onour privatised, fragmented railway.After the Ufton tragedy and seven moredeaths we renew that call.

The decision to effectively re-privatise Northern Rail services, withone of the new owners to be state-runDutch railways company, hashighlighted the ludicrous situation weare in. Instead of paying another stateto run the network at great cost, whynot let the British state do the samejob?

The massive improvements seen onSouth Eastern Trains since it wasrescued from the privateers a year agoshows us what can be achieved. SEThas steadily improved services while inthe public sector so there is no reasonto allow another profit-hungry privateersuck out much-needed resources inprofits.

RMT plans to launch a ‘Rail AgainstPrivatisation’ campaign next year,starting with a national march fromScotland to London, to bring theseissues into the public eye. Such acampaign will reflect the growing tideof opinion demanding an end to railprivatisation.

RMT is also campaigning to halt joblosses at the ferry company P&O, and Ihave held meetings with angrymembers in Portsmouth and Dover in atour of southern ports. We are lookingfor a way to safeguard members’ jobsand secure their long-term future, but

the company seems to be sufferingfrom serious short-sightedness.

The union is also working with MPsto persuade the government to takeaction to arrest the decline in UKshipping jobs and link qualification forthe tonnage-tax concession to thetraining and employment of UKseafarers.

The historic court victory against railfreight company EWS and the ensuingsolid strike action has also shown thatif we stand together we can make adifference at the workplace.

Traffic warden RMT members at VinciPark have also won a significant victoryby doing just that. These membersstood together and refused to bepushed around by employers seekingto make more money by exposing them to danger. London Undergroundstation staff are also finally set to gettheir 35 hour week after a long RMTcampaign.

THE government’s welcomedecision to reverse plans toscrap fire regulations introducedas a result of the 1987 King’s

Cross fire is also a clear example ofwhat effective campaigning inside andoutside parliament can achieve. RMT’sparliamentary group was able topersuade the government thatscrapping the regulations wouldcompromise safety.

The failure of transport privatisationwas also shown on the buses with thelatest Department of Transportstatistics revealing that the decline inbus use outside London hasaccelerated. This is clearly becauselocal authorities outside London havefew controls over fares, networks orservice quality with bus serviceseffectively being a chaotic profit-drivenfree-for-all.

In the run-up to the governmentpublishing its new transport bill, RMTwill also be making sure that falsechoices are not introduced betweenbus or rail to justify cuts in railservices. Recent victories have shownwhat can be achieved and we will beadvancing arguments for what thecountry is crying out for: a genuinelyintegrated public transport system.

Rail againstprivatisation

CrowBob

RMT news – Essent ia l read ing for today ’s t ranspor t worker

THE government White Paper ‘The Future of Rail’ announced thatthe number of passenger franchises would be reduced to moreclosely mirror the organisation of Network Rail areas.

However, recent developments in relation to train operatingcompanies (TOCs) have done nothing to allay RMT fears that theorganisation of train franchises remains little more than an incoherentmuddle.

Northern Rail In early September the SRA announced that the 17 October startdate for the new Northern franchise would not be met due to a glitchin the final contract negotiations between the Authority and thepreferred bidder; SERCO-Ned Railways.

Despite a vigorous campaign by RMT to bring services underpublic ownership the SRA has announced that the new privateowners will begin operating the new franchise from next month.Public money to be paid to the private sector to run Northern Railservices over the next 8.75 years is a staggering £2.4 billion.

This confusion and delay is just the latest in a series. In March2002 the SRA announced that six firms had pre-qualified as biddersfor the Northern rail franchise. The SRA indicated that the franchisewas expected to commence in mid-2003. By November 2002 theSRA had put back the start date of the franchise to “summer 2004".In April 2003 the SRA was predicting that the franchise wasexpected to start in “late summer 2004". Nearly a year ago the SRAannounced two shortlisted bidders for the new franchise and put theplanned start of operations back again; this time to autumn 2004.

A written Parliamentary reply to RMT parliamentary group chairJohn McDonnell MP in June said that by that time the tenderingprocess for Northern Rail had cost £2.6million with the final costexpected to be £3.9million.

South Eastern TrainsIt is now a year since private sector operator Connex was stripped ofthe south eastern franchise. Since that time service performancefigures have improved in every quarter. RMT’s campaign hasincluded over 4,000 postcards being sent to Alistair Darling and 117MPs signing up to an Early Day Motion calling for SET to be kept inthe public sector.

The RMT-led campaign has clearly won the argument for retainingSET under public ownership. Nevertheless, last month the SRAindicated that invitations to tender for the new Integrated KentFranchise would be issued soon. This indicates that the SRA andgovernment are not at all interested, as they constantly claim, in‘what-works’ but purely in maintaining private ownership ofpassenger operations.

Virgin Cross CountryThe SRA announced in August that it was ending negotiations withVirgin after the ‘best and final offer’ received from the company torun the franchise until 2012 had not passed the SRA value for moneytest. In addition, the SRA reserved its right to terminate the franchiseand said that it would make clear its plans for Cross Country in thenear future. If the SRA does decide to terminate the franchise theyneed to give Virgin 12 months notice.

The future of Cross Country services is now uncertain, which is amatter of serious concern to RMT and the over 750 union membersat the company. A key priority for RMT is to defend the job security,pension provision and the terms and conditions of the workforce.

Reduced number of franchises Transport Secretary Alistair Darling last month announced the firsttranche of changes to the franchising regime following the railreview. In 2006 the existing 25 TOCs would become 19.

● First Great Western will merge with First Great Western Link andWessex Trains ● Greater Northern will merge with Thameslink ● Central Trains routes will be split between the Silverlink, Chiltern,Midland Mainline, Northern and Virgin Cross Country franchises.

The decision to invite tenders in the summer of 2005 for the newGreater Western franchise, the merged Thameslink and GreaterNorthern operations and to break up Central Trains ignores thedecision taken at the last Labour Party conference to renationalisethe railways. Instead of taking back into public hands the franchisesas they expire, the government is pressing ahead with re-privatisation.

Train franchisedebaclecontinues

4

RMT has led thecampaign to keep

South Eastern Trainsout of the hands of

privateers

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RMT MEMBER Paul Taylorwon prizes for his work as anon-board chef with GNER. Ona terrible day in February 2001he was one of ten peoplekilled, with dozens moreinjured, when his train wasderailed by a Landrover thatcrashed onto the line whendriver Gary Hart fell asleep atthe wheel.

With RMT’s backing, Paul’swidow Lee Taylor won sixfigure damages in asettlement negotiated byKevin Hughes of RMTsolicitors Bridge McFarlandon her behalf. This sum couldnever compensate Lee andher family for their tragic lossbut it did reflect the loss ofher husband’s salary with asmall sum, set by Act ofParliament, to mark Lee’sbereavement.

In the meantime, GNER hadsettled their own claimagainst Mr Hart’s insurers formany millions. It reflected thedamage to their rolling stockand their loss of revenue. Butthey also included, almost asa footnote, a claim forrepayment of £17,500 thatGNER had paid to Lee Tayloras their employee’s widowunder an agreement datingback to 1986, whichguarantees payments to thefamilies of workers killed inrailway accidents.

However, Hart’s insurersargued that since they hadrepaid the money paid byGNER they should be entitledto deduct it from Lee’sdamages. RMT rejected thisargument and instructedBridge McFarland to sue forthe money the insurers haddeducted. Eventually, thisissue went to trial at LeedsCounty Court. This could nothave happened without RMT’sfinancial backing.

The legal argumentsinvolved were complex andtook a day to thrash out incourt proceedings. Mr Hart’sinsurers had the assets of amulti-billion pound industrybehind them but Lee Taylorhad her husband’s union. Thejudge declined to give hisdecision on the day butfollowing several weeks ofnerve racking uncertainty hehanded down his judgementin Lee’s favour.

The reasons given by thejudge in finding in Lee’s favourrun into many pages but theposition can be summed upvery simply: you cannot givewith one hand, and take backwith the other.

l Gary Hart was convicted ofcausing death by recklessdriving and was sentenced tofive years’ imprisonment. Hewas released after serving halfof his sentence.

RMT News – Essent ia l read ing for today ’s t ranspor t worker

A ROW has broken outbetween rail privateer FirstKeolis and public transportchiefs over cuts toTranspennine Expressservices.

Metro, the West Yorkshirepassenger transport executive,was told by train operator FirstKeolis that the cuts were duesolely to leaf fall. But First nowadmits the cuts also relate to adispute with train drivers.

A Metro spokesman said itwas “annoyed” that First didnot mention the dispute whenit announced the cuts and saidthat the passenger group was“caught in the middle”.

Timetable changes have

seen trains cut to three anhour between Leeds andManchester Piccadilly insteadof the usual four.

Services between York andMiddlesbrough and York andNewcastle and betweenSheffield, Doncaster andCleethorpes are also reduced.The service cuts will bereviewed in the near future.

The passenger group said:“Metro is unhappy with thissituation as a whole and withthe very short notice that thetravelling public has beengiven over these timetablechanges and would urge allparties to resolve the issueand resume full services.”

5

RMT wins court battle forSelby train crash widow

Transpennine cuts row

NEW HIGH-speed trains for theKent franchise and rollingstock for the Northern Railfranchise should be built inBritain, RMT has told thegovernment.

Transport secretary AlistairDarling has selected Hitachi asthe preferred bidder for a £200million contract to build 30high-speed trains for Kent’srush-hour routes from 2009.

RMT general secretary BobCrow welcomed newinvestment in new rolling stock,but said that there is no reasonwhy these trains should not bebuilt here in Britain. He alsopointed out that France andGermany had never boughtforeign-built trains for theirdomestic rail industries.

“Here is a golden opportunityto revitalise Britain’s train-making industry, which hassuffered thousands of layoffs inrecent years.

“We have the skills, we havethe capacity and we have theenthusiasm – what we need isthe opportunity.

“Much is being made of theKent high-speed trains beingpart of Britain’s bid to host the2012 Olympics - building thesetrains in Britain would be goodfor the economy and good forjobs,” he said.

The union has written to theTransport Secretary to makethe case for the Kent high-speed sets and the newNorthern Franchise rollingstock to be built in Britain.

Keep train-making skills in Britain

WRECK: Police forensic and accident investigators sift through the wreckage of thetrain Selby rail crash, Great Heck near Selby, Yorkshire. Photo: Mark Pinder

RMT called for the eliminationof level crossings on high-speed rail lines following thefatal derailment of a high-speed train at Ufton Nervetnear Reading that killed sevenpeople and injured many othersearlier this month.

The high-speed London toPlymouth train was derailedafter hitting a car deliberatelyparked across the automatichalf-barrier level crossing.

RMT general secretary BobCrow said that the terribletragedy highlighted a growingproblem that RMT has longbeen calling for action on, forthe sake of railway workers, railpassengers and road usersalike.

The union has called for theindustry to begin a programmeto eliminate level crossingsfrom high-speed railway lines,replacing them withunderpasses or bridges, andfor a feasibility study on therest with the aim of removingall level crossings from Britain’srail network.

“Level crossings are a

19th-century solution, and in21st-century Britain – roadsand railways should not have tocross each other’s paths.

“And we are not the onlyones to have recognised it, forjust two months ago HerMajesty’s RailwaysInspectorate (HMRI) – the bodycharged with overseeing thesafety of our railways–identified level crossings asthe single biggest danger on

today’s railway network,” hesaid.

The Inspectorate said thatthere had been 18 deaths onthe country’s 8,000 levelcrossings in the last year andmany more incidents. Thefigures did not includeincidents involving objects lefton the track or the number ofanimals which have strayed onto the line and been killed bytrains.

HMRI has made no proposalsfor dealing with the problembut, in the light of the Berkshirerail crash, RMT called for a ten-year programme to replace all1,700 ‘active’ crossings – theones where the railwayinterfaces with roads.

Network Rail estimates thatthe cost works out at anaverage of £1 million eachcrossing, or around half thecost of an average mile ofmotorway. Therefore theprogramme would cost about£200 million a year.

The private sector hasdismissed such calls as tooexpensive.

However, the union pointedout that private-sectoroperators have pocketed wellover £14 billion in profits sinceprivatisation – more thanenough to replace every levelcrossing in Britain with a few ofbillion left over.

RMT news – Essent ia l read ing for today ’s t ranspor t worker

RMT calls for actionafter Ufton disaster

Victory at Vinci ParkTRAFFIC wardens working for Vinci Park in Bromley, south London,have won the right to take their breaks in safety.

The company withdrew its instruction to parking attendants not toreturn to their depot for breaks after RMT members returned asecond 100 per cent vote for strike action.

“This is a victory for common sense and the right for ourmembers’ safety to be put ahead of Vinci Park’s profits,” RMTgeneral secretary Bob Crow said.

“Although few in number, our members maintained 100 per centsolidarity and refused to allow their safety to be compromised forthe sake of their employer’s bank balance.

“In the end strike action proved unnecessary, but by twice votingunanimously to strike our members have once again demonstratedthe truth of the trade union principle that unity is strength,” BobCrow said.

RMT members at Vinci Park twice voted unanimously for action toretain their right to take their breaks in relative safety after theirlong-standing right to return to the depot for breaks was endedwithout consultation by the company.

The second ballot became necessary after strike actionscheduled for October 2 was suspended to enable talks to takeplace and the company refused to agree an extension of the

deadline for industrial action.

GOVERNMENT statistics haverevealed that the decline in useof deregulated bus servicesoutside London hasaccelerated.

Statistics on bus passengerjourneys issued by theDepartment of Transport showthat in 2003/4 bus use inEngland outside Londondeclined by 2.8 per centwhereas bus use in the moreregulated London area rose by10.4 per cent.

The government’s target forlocal public transport is that by2010 the use of bus and lightrail service should increase bymore than 12 per cent inEngland compared with 2000levels, with growth in everyregion.

Pteg chairman KieranPreston, speaking on behalf ofthe seven Passenger TransportExecutives, said that thebiggest problem was that PTEsand local authorities outsideLondon have few controls overfares, networks or servicequality.

“We can’t offer the public thesingle, integrated, high qualitypublic transport networks thatwould stem the decline in bususe, because bus services are,in effect, a free-for-all.

“With the bus network in thecapital going from strength tostrength – the contrast betweenregulated London and thederegulated regions, has neverbeen more stark,” he said.

Pteg represents PassengerTransport Executives that areresponsible for local transportservices in Greater Manchester,Merseyside, South Yorkshire,Strathclyde, Tyne & Wear,West Midlands and West

Yorkshire.Transport Secretary Alistair

Darling ruled out bringing inmore regulation on failingservices and insisted that localbus services will continue to runon a purely commercial basis.

Bus use indeclineoutside thecapital

6

CROSSING: Crash site at Ufton Nervet in Berkshire where seven people lost their lives

ALL full-time LUL station staffwill now enjoy 52 days leaveunder proposals for a 35 hourweek currently being negotiatedby RMT.

The proposals will also meananother hour off the workingweek, which would also givestation staff the best 35-houragreement of any grade of staffon LUL, or on any train-operating company.

Part-time staff will also see asubstantial increase in their ratesof pay, and for the first timehaving the opportunity to applyfor part-time station supervisorpositions and facilitating familyfriendly fixed-shift working.

RMT regional organiser Booby

Law said that the latest offercomes as a direct result of theunity shown by RMT memberswho supported our industrialaction earlier this year.

“Until this show of strength byRMT members, management’sproposals would have meant theaxing of more than 800 stationstaff positions,” he said.

Following detailed negoti-ations, backed by the ever-present threat of industrialaction, RMT forced LUL toremove the majority of theproductivity measures originallyproposed.

That means there will now beno overall reduction in stationstaff numbers but the

introduction of a specialrequirements team. Staff in theseteams will be flexible as to dutylengths and locations. However,this team will only be filled byexisting staff who nominate intothe posts, with any shortfall filledby direct recruits.

The threat to 500 jobs due tothe introduction of Oyster Cardshas been removed, and although200 SAMF posts will bewithdrawn, any member of staffdisplaced will be covered bynormal redeployment protectionarrangements.

A part of the agreement will bea commitment to work all nighton up to three occasions everyyear, similar to the agreement

already in place for train staff aswell as an extension of the trafficday on Friday/Saturday nights byone hour, depending on furtherdiscussions taking place ondetailed arrangements

Bobby Law said that extensiveconsultation on these proposalshas now begun with local staffrepresentatives and areferendum of members in thenear future.

“This deal means thatcombined with rest days andannual leave entitlements, thenew arrangements will give staff43 per cent of the working yearoff. That is a deal that I canhappily recommend to LULstation staff,” he said.

35 hour week for station staff in sight

RMT members at Viacom Outdoorrecently became the highest paidbill posters in the UK due to a paydeal following an overwhelmingvote for strike action.

This year’s agreement includes:● Pay award of 4.7 per cent● Increase of paid sicknessabsence from 15 to 20 days ayear which even now applies tonew entrant employees afteronly 12 months service● Increase in overtime rates, forboth day and night shifts● Consolidation of allowances,which now means thatmembers are better rewardedfor the same roles and respon-sibilities.Camden No 3 RMT branch

secretary Mick Crossey on thenegotiating team said that RMTmembers in this company haveagain seen significantimprovements to their pay andconditions following the unityshown by a massive yes vote infavour of industrial action, whichforced management back to thenegotiating table.

“We were also finally able tosign off and agree a newdisciplinary and attendance atwork procedure, which is farsuperior and fairer than the oneimposed upon LUL members,”Mick said.

Victory atViacomRMT is campaigning to get station assistant Joanne

White her job back after she was dismissed by LondonUnderground without warning after being assaulted atwork.

Joanne, who was at home recovering from the injuriesshe received following the assault,

was phoned at home by managers who tried tointimidate her back to work. She was then summoned into a meeting, where she was denied any union represen-tation.

Joanne complained about this heavy handed approachfrom the management team, who then arranged anothermeeting, where she was invited to come and discuss her‘situation’ where she was sacked without warning. Nodisciplinary hearing took place, no charges were broughtand no union representative was present.

Management claimed that Joanne was ‘on probation’despite the fact that she had a signed letter saying thatshe had successfully passed her probation period, aletter LUL now say they sent ‘in error’.

In a desperate bid to cover up their mistakes, LULclaimed Joanne was sacked was because of a policecaution she had received three years previously,something she had declared on her interview, and wastold would not be a problem. Even more worrying wasthat a manager just ‘happened’ to come across thispolice caution, whilst browsing through Joanne’s stafffile.

RMT has demanded an appeal, at which managementchanged their story yet again. This time they stated thatJoanne was sacked for ‘unsatisfactory references’ -because she had time off work in her previous job whilstrecovering from a hernia operation.

Joanne said that she was completely devastated. “I enjoy working for the company and assisting

passengers at Embankment Station. I can only hope thatsomeone will listen to reason and give me my job back,”she said.

A director’s appeal will take place later this month.

Re-instate Joanne White

UNITY: London regional organiser Bobby Law congratulated the membership for standing together to

win a 35 hour week

....Tube news....Tube news....Tube news....Tube news....Tube news....Tube news....

Hats off to the RMTLONDON Underground management havefinally relented on a long-standing RMTdemand to end the compulsory wearing ofuniform hats.

Management also conceded to withdrawthe power blue jackets, often referred to as aclown’s outfit’, next March. RMT havemaintained that the current uniform does littleto promote a professional image for staff andactually increases the risk of assaults.

LUL have also agreed that ties would beoptional for train operators. The union willcampaign that the wearing of ties becomesoptional for all grades of uniformed staff. Theunion has called for station and revenuecontrol staff to be issued with fleeces.Speaking of LUL’s decision, Josie Toussiant-Pinnock, a member of the uniform committeesaid: “The RMT, as the biggest trade unionon LUL, are the only reason managementconceded to these demands. Make nomistake, we would never have had thisdecision had it not been for the unity of RMTmembers.”

7

RMT HAS submitted amendmentsto the tonnage tax concession aspart of the union’s campaign for atraining and employment link for

seafaring ratings. Since the introduction ofthe tonnage tax, some £100 million intaxpayers’ money has been handed out toshipowners, but there is no automatic linkto ratings’ training and jobs. In twodecades the number of UK ratings hasdwindled from 30,000 to 10,000.

The government is expected to make anannouncement on its review of thetonnage tax before the end of the year.Therefore, the union has met ministers tooutline the case for a training andemployment link to be part of thecommitment made by shipping companieswho elect to become part of the tonnagetax regime.

These arguments have also been takenup by the RMT Parliamentary Group. Thishas proved to be very successful and so

far a total of 165 Labour and LiberalDemocrat MPs have signed Early DayMotion 880 demanding action.

Debate RMT parliamentary convenor JohnMcDonnell MP led a House of Commonsadjournment debate earlier this monthurging the government to link qualificationfor the tonnage-tax concession with jobsand training.

John said that it must be recognisedthat this country is an island and shouldnot become dependent on an industrythat is controlled from other states.

“We must plan for the maintenance anddevelopment of a seafaring sector in thiscountry.

“We can no longer stand by and watchthe whole industry decline, our experiencerelates very much to what is happening inthe coal mining industry and the

destruction of whole coal miningcommunities,” he said.

ProposalsAs a result of the meeting with ShippingMinister David Jamieson the union hasalso tabled proposals on the subject. RMTproposals seek to change requirementsthat concentrate on training only, into twoseparate commitments, one for trainingand one for employment. Currently, thecommitment for ratings is weak, withcompanies only obliged to review thefeasibility of employing or training moreUK ratings. Companies have to engageone cadet for every fifteen officersemployed on board, although in certaincircumstances they can avoid thisrequirement by making PILOT payments(Payment in Lieu of Training) to theMaritime Training Trust.

TrainingRMT is seeking to insert into the scheme atraining and employment link for UKratings. RMT have not made comments onany proposed officers commitment as thisis for NUMAST to stipulate.

Action onTonnage Tax RMT demands amendments to the Tonnage Tax with atraining and employment link for seafaring ratings.

RMT lobby US embassyRMT made representations to the US embassy on World MaritimeDay to highlight the problems faced by seafarers as a result ofstrict new security measures.

RMT president Tony Donaghey and general secretary Bob Crowhanded in a letter to Jean Bonilla, minister for labour and socialaffairs at the embassy, to express concern about the way new rulesare curtailing seafarers’ rights to shore leave.

Bob Crow pointed out that the restriction of shore leave was aworld-wide problem, most acutely in the US, where armed guardsare used to prevent foreign seafarers leaving their ships.

Under a new International Labour Organisation convention, crewmembers will be expected to carry identity documents whichinclude a bar-coded finger-print, and that seafarers holding the newID should be able to take shore leave without first applying for avisa.

The letter also pointed out that the International MaritimeOrganisation has recently introduced a code giving seafarers amajor new security role, and that imposing unreasonable restric-tions on shore-leave is counter-productive.

“Shore leave is vital to the health and well-being of the world’s1.25 million seafarers, and we hope that all governments will ratifyand implement the provisions of ILO Convention 185 as soon aspossible.” said Bob.

8

9

RMT par l iamentary co lumn

IT IS a year since South Eastern Trains (SET) took over the franchise fromConnex in November 2003. Throughout this time RMT has been campaigningwith MPs to ensure that the government keep the franchise in public hands.The franchise became the first since Tory privatisation to be run under what is

effectively public control. This was achieved through what was almost amanagement buyout. Connex and their executives disappeared from the sceneand the people who had been managing the service under them took over. Thisnot only led to a smooth transition, but it also allowed the new managers toimmediately start the task of improving the service.

SET has just published its Public Performance Measure on punctuality for theperiod from April 2004 through to the end of July. These figures show that they areperforming consistently better than in the same period in the previous year, withthe exception of May where the figures were very similar. In addition, theircustomer complaints for November 2003 to July 2004 are 50 per cent down on thesame period for 2002 to 2003.

As a regular user of SET, I can vouch for the improvement in the service. Thereare still the odd days when passengers are left fuming on the platform because atrain is running more than the odd minute behind schedule, but this is nowherenear the levels of the Connex era.

So why have SET been able to deliver these improvements in such a relativelyshort period of time, and dare I ask at the risk of being accused of being anti-European, how did they achieve it without being French? This may be a bitfacetious, but I can recall being told at the time Connex won the franchise that theFrench were going to embarrass us because they were experts at runningrailways. What the Connex experience has shown us is that not even Frenchexpertise could make our privatised railways work.

The answer to the question is that SET managers no longer have to serve twomasters. They can direct all their efforts and resources into running an efficientrailway. Under privatisation, the bottom line was the shareholders of the trainoperating company and not the long-suffering passenger. It is the same peoplemanaging the system today that were running it under Connex, yet they haveachieved considerable improvements. The only ingredient missing is the demandsof the private sector that drain resources away from the service. SET’s successdemonstrates, for anyone who wants to learn the lesson, that value for money canbe achieved through directly-run publicly-owned railways. The worry is that we arenot opening our eyes to this fact.

There have been worrying signals recently that the government intends to re-privatise South Eastern Trains, despite over 100 labour MPs supporting my parlia-mentary motion to retain this service in the public sector. I and my parliamentarycolleagues will be seeking a meeting with the Minister on this vital question. SEThas achieved too much in the way of improving services for the government toignore the compelling arguments for this service to be retained in the publicsector.

WHEN the SRA appeared before the Transport Select Committee, theymade it clear that they would privatise the service regardless of theperformance of SET. The committee stressed the need for a properassessment of the public sector option to provide a yardstick against

which to measure the value for money performance of the publicly managedfranchise. To date, all of the data points to the fact that it represents good value formoney. The public will not thank those responsible if it returns to private handsand we see a return to the poor performances of the recent past.

I regularly have to remind people that my part of London is not served by theLondon Underground. This means that my constituents have a heavy reliance onthe south east train services. We can not afford to allow dogma to get in the wayof an efficient service. We must base our decisions on the facts and they stateclearly that the franchise should stay where it is.● Clive Efford is the Labour MP for Eltham and a member of the Transport Select Committee

Keep SET inpublic hands

However, the union has stated that itsupports the introduction of an employmentlink for officers. Under the RMT proposalscompanies are also obliged to commit tothe training of UK ratings on the basis of aratio of at least one in fifteen ratings, thiscan be through the training of deck, engineor catering ratings.

EmploymentThe training commitment is then followedwith an employment commitment which iscalculated on the same basis as the trainingcommitment, i.e. one in fifteen. Companiesare required to maintain the trainingcommitment for at least the first three yearsof entry into the scheme, and then to carryon training as and when required to ensurecompliance with the minimum employmentrequirement.

The proposals do not go as far as RMTwould wish. However, at the last availablecount there were 755 ships in the tonnagetax scheme so if RMT proposals wereadopted they really would give a significantboost to UK seafaring ratings employmentand training opportunities.

Non-complianceThe union has also taken the opportunity toreview other aspects of the scheme. RMTstrongly recommended that PILOTpayments no longer be allowed and thatcompanies have to train in all circum-stances. In addition, the union has statedthat the penalties for non-compliance mustbe strengthened so that a penalty isintroduced earlier, and expulsion should beenforced following a second year of failureto uphold the tonnage tax minimum trainingand employment obligation.

The recent announcement by P&O Ferriesof hundreds of dismissals of UK ratingsfurther supports the case for a training andemployment link and the union will continueto make representations on this matter.

RMT parliamentary convenor John McDonnell MP ledthe debate on Tonnage tax

RMT members at P&O Ferries inDover, Hull and Portsmouth areto be balloted for industrialaction after the company failed

to shift from its “slash-and-burn” plan toaxe 1,200 jobs, cut pay and worsenterms and conditions.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow saidthat the union had made it quite clearwhen this massive attack on jobs andconditions was announced that it wouldnot accept compulsory redundancies.

CutsThe company has embarked upon amajor cost cutting exercise that seeksto reduce the number of ships from 31to 23 and close four of its thirteenroutes without consulting the union. Insummary P&O intend to withdraw fromvirtually all their existing WesternChannel routes, leaving a monopolyposition for Brittany Ferries, and alsosignificantly cut back operations atDover and Hull.

PortsmouthCuts include the withdrawal of Pride of

Aquitaine and Pride of Provence andan end to all Normandy services.

There are plans for the Price of Le Havreand Pride of Portsmouth with 350seafarers to be transferred to theFrench state-subsidised companyBrittany Ferries.

The remaining UK seafarers currentlyemployed by P&O at Portsmouth, withthe exception of the crew from the Prideof Bilbao which will continue in service,are to be dismissed.

HullUnder the plans staff are to betransferred to agency status andconditions are to be eroded, includingdeep pay cuts at P&O Hull.

Hundreds of RMT members are facedwith redundancy and many of those

who will be left are threatened withpossible cuts in pay and conditions, oradverse changes to working practices.The union has pledged to do everythingin its power to resist these savage cutbacks.

UK seafarers at P&O North SeaFerries are being asked to workadditional hours and lose existing rightsto medical severance and enhancedredundancy. P&O are insisting thatseafarers sign new terms andconditions with reduced redundancyentitlement, this is be followed by aselection procedure and if the UKseafarers fail to gain a position in thenew establishment they will be maderedundant on new reduced terms. Ofeven greater concern to employees are

10

RMT news – P&O

RMT balloting to fight‘slash-and-burn’ attackson jobs and conditions

Stop the P&Oslaughter

ANGRY: RMT general secretary Bob Crow and shipping secretary Steve Todd speaking to P&O workers in Dover

company plans to undertake third partyship management.

The intention is for P&O to completelyoutsource operational activities. A newship management could effectively dothe dirty work for P&O by replacing UKseafarers with low cost foreignnationals.

DoverThe situation in Dover is even worsewith nearly 800 dismissals planned. Thecuts will mean a sizeable reduction inoperations. On the Dover-Calais route,six ships will be operated compared withseven at present. There are also nowmajor doubts over the future of theremaining P&O ships as it is widelyassumed that P&O are seeking to exitthe ferry sector as soon as possible.Increasingly P&O are looking towardstheir more lucrative interests in portsoverseas.

This complete disregard for thewelfare of the crews comes after P&Ohave received substantial concessionsfrom the taxpayer in the form of thetonnage tax. The tonnage tax hasincreased tonnage on the UK registerbut not improved training or employmentopportunities for UK seafaring ratings. Infact, the number of UK ratings beingtrained and employed has actually fallen.

In addition to the industrial campaignRMT is seeking to mobilise as muchpolitical support as possible in an effortto maximise pressure on P&O and thegovernment.

ActionEarly Day Motion 1715 (right) on the P&Ojob losses and the need for governmentintervention has now been tabled byGwyn Prosser MP. Already the EDM hasreceived 69 signatures and a briefingletter has been circulated to all LabourMPs seeking their signatures.

The union held a special briefingmeeting of constituency MPs likely to beaffected by the cutbacks. In addition theunion will be publicising any Frenchgovernment support given to theircompanies; Sea France, who runservices on the Dover Calais route, andBrittany Ferries, who will now be in adominant position on the WesternChannel. In this regard efforts are beingmade to meet with the French unions sothat they can assist.

RMT Parliamentary Group convenorJohn McDonnell said that thegovernment must now intervene byraising this matter with the company andthe employer’s organisation theChamber of Shipping.

“A long term future for the UK ferryindustry needs to be safeguardedespecially in view of the supportprovided by the French Government tosecure their interests in the crosschannel trades,” he said.

RMT national shipping secretary SteveTodd said that the scale of P&O’s jobcuts shocked members around theports, but that shock has given way toanger over the insensitive and intran-sigent way in which the company istrying to bludgeon the workforce intosubmission.

“Rather than sit down with us anddiscuss a long-term plan that wouldsafeguard jobs, the company seemshell-bent on sacking hundreds, tearingup the contracts of those who are leftand even slashing payments to thoseprepared to leave the companyvoluntarily,” he said.

The union has consulted membersaround the ports intensively, and hasbecome clear that the company’spresent stance and its refusal to consultwith us in any meaningful way areunacceptable.

“We have therefore served notice onP&O Ferries that we will be balloting ourmembers, with a recommendationthat they vote decisively forindustrial action to defend theirjobs, pay and conditions,” RMTgeneral secretary Bob Crowsaid.

CUTS: The P&O ferry Pride of Burgundy arrives at Dover Harbour. More than 600 jobs could be lost underplans by P&O Ferries to reduce services on its Dover-Calais route.

RMT news – P&O

Early Day Motion 1715That this House is deeply concernedat the recent announcement by P&Othat they intend to dismiss 1,200 UKseafarers; notes that many of thosewho will be left will be faced withcuts in pay and conditions; regretsthat this will cause much hardshipfor many families especially withinthe communities of Dover,Portsmouth and Hull; regards this asa massive blow to the UK shippingindustry; further notes that the num-ber of UK seafarers continues todecline despite the UK shippingindustry benefiting from a very signif-icant tonnage tax concession worth£35m per year; further notes that theFrench Government provide supportfor Sea France and Brittany Ferries;and calls on the UK government tointervene with the appropriate partiesto ensure that the ferry industry in

the UK has along-term

future.

11

FOLLOWING a vigorous campaign byRMT, the government has droppedplans to scrap sub-surface stationfire-safety regulations brought in as adirect result of the 1987 Kings CrossTube blaze that claimed 31 lives.

The planned changes would affectfire precaution laws that cover sub-

surface stations such as those on theLondon Underground and other metrosystems and introduce minimum firestandards and minimum staffing levels.

The government’s Regulatory Reform(Fire Safety) Order 2004, as originallydrafted, would have repealed the 1971Fire Precautions Act, and with it the

1989 Fire Precautions (Sub-SurfaceRailway Stations) Regulations, whichwere brought in on the recommen-dation of the Fennell Report into theKings Cross fire.

This threatened staffing levels andsafety standards.

Following an intervention by RMT12

NEVERAGAIN

RMT halts plans to repeal fire-safety regulationsintroduced following the horrific 1987 Kings Cross fire

RMT news – Tube safe ty v ic tory

parliamentary convenor JohnMcDonnell MP, the CommonsRegulatory Reform Committeerecommended that the regulations notbe scrapped. John tabled Early DayMotion 1721 which called on thegovernment to keep the regulations inplace. Shortly afterwards RMT wasinformed by the Office of the DeputyPrime Minister that the regulations

would not be repealed.RMT and its parliamentary group

strongly argued that scrappingminimum standards, allowingmanagement to conduct their own riskassessments and effectively leavingfire-precautions to their discretionwould be a recipe for cost-drivencorner-cutting. This would have led to aweakening of fire precautions, fewerstation staff and more risk to membersand the public.

Safety first“Tube and rail workers and passengersalike will be enormously relieved thatthe government has accepted the needto keep these regulations in place,”RMT general secretary Bob Crow said.

“This is excellent news, especially aswe approach the 17th anniversary ofthe Kings Cross fire, in which 31 peoplelost their lives. Keeping effective fire-safety rules in place is the most fittingtribute to those who died.

“The government says it will draftnew guidance on fire precautions insub-surface stations, and RMT willcontinue forcefully to make the case forthose precautions to be statutory.

“RMT members will be indebted toJohn McDonnell, the convenor of theRMT parliamentary group, who broughtour concerns to the Regulatory ReformCommittee’s attention, and to all thoseMPs who signed Early Day Motion 1721,urging the government to changecourse,” Bob said.

Victory for allJohn McDonnell MP described the

decision as a victory for everyone whouses or works on the underground andsub-surface railways.

“The RMT Parliamentary Group hasbeen at the forefront of this campaignto secure the continuation of adequatefire safety measures.

“We’re glad that common sense hasprevailed and we would expect that anyfuture review will maintain the levels ofstaffing and safety necessary to avoidever again a tragedy like Kings Cross,”he said.

The Fire Brigades Union, which wasalso involved in the campaign,welcomed the moves as “vital” forpublic safety.

FBU national officer John McGee saidthat firefighters across Britain,especially London, will breathe a sigh ofrelief at the decision.

He pointed out that only the tradeunions could have blocked governmentplans “because most people areunaware of the details of suchregulations and their importance”.

RMT London regional organiserBobby Law said that the reality wasthat since the introduction of PPP andthe privatisation of LondonUnderground infrastructure cost hasbeen a growing consideration when itcame to running the service.

“These regulations guaranteedminimum standards and staffing levels.“The implications of their removal areclear – massive job losses and thedeterioration of safety on theunderground,” he said.

RMT exists to make sure that healthand safety is not undermined and thatemployers do not attempt to reducecosts through job cuts. 13

BUSY: Kings Cross today carries even more passengers than in 1987. Picture credit © Duncan Phillips reportdigital.co.uk

RMT news – Tube safe ty v ic tory

L ONDON Underground worker andRMT member Alix Wood, was hav-ing a normal day when she attendedwork at 5.00am at Waterloo London

Underground station last summer. However,life was about to take an unexpected andvery unpleasant twist.

Out of the blue, she was arrested byBritish Transport Police, body searched infront of a male manager, kept in custodyfor seven hours, suspended from duty foreight weeks, dragged through the courtsfour times, banned from LUL propertyand charged with stealing her LondonUnderground uniform hat that was sittingin her locker.

No evidenceMs Wood’s long ordeal began when shewas asked to attend StockwellUnderground station to make a statementto police regarding an assault on a workcolleague.

When Ms Wood arrived at Stockwellshe was sent back to work without thestatement being taken and summoned tothe manager’s office. She was met byBritish Transport Police and, withoutmore ado, other than identifyingthemselves and showing a warrant, shewas arrested on suspicion of theft. MsWood was given no explanation as towhy she was being arrested. She wasthen taken by the two police officers andthe Duty Station Manager to her lockerand police seized her uniform hat as“evidence”.

Roy Parfitt of RMT solicitors KaimTodner described the arrest as

“astonishing” as police disclosedabsolutely no evidence that Ms Wood

had committed any offence.“It is a fundamental principle of English

law that a person is innocent unless, oruntil, they are proven guilty.

“Police have to prove that a person hascommitted an offence, that person doesnot have to prove their innocence,” hesaid.

Mr Parfitt explained that if police havereasonable grounds for suspecting thatan offence of theft has been committed,they may arrest anyone whom policehave reasonable grounds for suspectingto be guilty of the offence.

“However, given that Ms Wood wasarrested prior to the search of the lockerit is difficult to see what ‘reasonablesuspicion’ police could have had prior tothe searching of the locker and the

seizure of the hat,” he said.Immediately after the locker was

searched, the DSM suspended Ms Woodfrom work and seized her locker key.

A terrorist threat?When Roy Parfitt first arrived at Eustonpolice station to represent Ms Wood hewas informed that police suspected thatshe had advertised a LUL hat and shirton ‘eBay’ an internet auction site –allegations consistently denied by MsWood.

In this case police disclosed absolutelyno evidence that Ms Wood hadcommitted any offence. As a result theunion solicitors advised her to make a‘prepared’ statement that could be readat the start of her tape recordedinterview. Ms Wood accepted this adviceand a statement was read whereby MsWood denied the charges. During thecourse of the interview police raisedconcerns that terrorists could haveobtained these old items of uniform.

Despite these alleged concerns, after

A tale of twohats

INNOCENT: Alix Wood celebrates with RMT London regional organiser Bobby law14

The bizarre story of how an RMT member wasarrested, suspended for eight weeks and draggedthrough the courts after being caught in possessionof her own London Underground hat

this bizarre story broke in the media, aninterested party handed in a BritishTransport Police hat to Unity Housewhich they had indeed acquired on eBay.The union immediately informed the BTPof this development which revealed thatBTP hats are easily available on theinternet.

Crown Prosecution Service in the dockFollowing the interview with Alix, policesought the advice of the CrownProsecution Service as to what furtheraction they should take. The CrownProsecution Service was formed toensure that there was an independentand transparent organisation that wouldreview the decisions of police following aperson being charged.

It was intended to ensure that a personwas charged with the correct offence andmost importantly that a prosecutionwould not continue if there was notsufficient evidence to provide a realisticprospect of a conviction.

However, over the years theindependence and transparency of theCrown Prosecution Service has eroded tothe point that it is now the CPS thatmakes the decision to charge, decides onthe appropriate charge and whether thereis sufficient evidence to provide aconviction.

In this case the CPS advised policethat Ms Wood should be charged with

the ‘attempted’ theft of a hat (the shirtdoes not get another mention) despitethe complete lack of evidence.

After four court appearances, MrParfitt informed the CPS that the unionintended to go to the High Court for aJudicial Review. Following this threatthe allegation was dismissed. MrParfitt said that it was “incredible” thatthis case went so far before beingthrown out.

“It is even more bizarre and veryworrying that the Crown ProsecutionService tried to proceed with the caseknowing that there was no evidence,” hesaid.

Protect yourselfRMT London regional organiser BobbyLaw said it was one of the worst caseshe had ever come across whichtraumatised a loyal and longstandingmember of staff who had an unblemishedcharacter.

“Finding an LUL hat in the locker of anLUL employee at an LUL station isobviously a stunning piece of policework, but this has been a major ordealfor Alix.

“This colossal waste of police time andan estimated £20,000 of taxpayers’money speaks volumes for the BTP’spriorities when violent assaults on theTube are up by nearly a quarter and ourmembers can rarely get an officer torespond to an emergency call,” Bobby

said. The union is currently exploring

avenues of legal action to compensateMs Wood for her ordeal. RMT branchsecretary Jason Humphreys, whorepresented Alix throughout the case onbehalf of the union, said that the moral ofthe whole sorry saga was for staff toprotect themselves by joining RMT andgetting legal cover as you never knowwhen you might need it.

Alix is now back at work after herharrowing experiences and has beentransferred to a different work location.

Hats off to RMTLondon Underground has sinceconceded to RMT demands that thewearing of hats by around 10,000 staff isno longer compulsory. The union advisesmembers not to sell their redundant hatson eBay.

15

RMT REPS at rail-freight companyEWS began consulting membersaround the country on stepping upindustrial action as RMT News

went to press, after talks with the company over jobs, working hours andconditions broke down.

Our 1,300 engineering and groundstaffhave already held one rock-solid 48-hourstrike after the appeal court last monthrejected the company’s claim that ourballot was flawed and overturned aninjunction banning industrial action.

Our members’ determination appearedto concentrate management’s minds,and they eventually agreed to talks atAcas, the arbitration service, four daysafter our weekend action on November 6and 7.

Hopes for a settlement were raisedwhen the company abandoned itsproposals to load engineering andgroundstaff duties onto drivers andlengthen drivers’ hours – the notorious‘£45k for 45 hours’ plan.

However, the company failed to makeprogress on the outstanding issues or togive us the guarantees we are seekingthat there will be no further back-doorjob losses or worsening of conditions.

Industrial relations broke down in theautumn as managers tried to powerthrough an extension of drivers’ hoursand responsibilities at the expense of

the jobs, pay and conditions ofengineering and groundstaff.

EWS had already taken more than itspound of flesh after the loss of the RoyalMail contract earlier in the year.

But the company was determined toshed even more engineering andgroundstaff, and divide and rule was thename of the game as they tried to setabout bribing drivers into acceptinglonger hours and taking on othergrades’ duties.

When EWS was rumbled and ourmembers voted for industrial action, thecompany went running to the courts –but the strategy blew up in their faces.

For the company’s legal argumentsproved too flimsy even for Britain’srepressive anti-union laws.

The company argued that RMT hadn’tgiven proper notification of the ballot,because some of our memberstechnically worked for a company calledEWS International.

Never mind that they’d never botheredtelling us that EWSI existed, or thatnotice would have gone to the sameperson in the same office and the ballotresult would have been no different.

Nonetheless, rounds one and twowent to EWS as the High Court firstgranted a temporary injunction againstour industrial action and then made itpermanent.

A magnificent disRMT news – EWS d ispute

The bitter EWS disputeunderlines theimportance of a unionfighting for all grades,argues RMT generalsecretary Bob Crow

16

The companywas left with eggon its face and amassive bill forthe union’s courtcosts

‘

’

ON THE LINE: EWS members on the picket line earlier this month in the Midlands

17

However, after some fantastic workby John Hendy QC and the Thompsonslegal team, the three appeal courtjudges agreed unanimously that therewas absolutely nothing wrong with ourballot.

The anti-union laws were designed tomake it as difficult as possible forunions to take strike action, but theappeal court accepted that EWS wasattempting to stretch the rules beyondany reasonable point.

The company was left with egg on itsface and a massive bill for the union’scourt costs.

But having tried to frustrate thedemocratic will of our members andwasted a fortnight messing around inthe High Court, EWS had not yet runout of tricks.

These included denying us a seat ona working party discussing the loadingof more engineering and groundstaffduties on drivers, even though RMT hasfull recognition rights for its drivermembers.

The company was keen to foist its‘£45k for 45 hours’ plan on drivers – ascam that would have had driversworking 45 hours on a dangerousproductivity-led deal and engineeringand groundstaff not working at all.

No wonder they didn’t want RMTinvolved in talks.

Freed by the courts to take the actionour members had voted for, a ban onovertime, rest-day working and acting-up began on October 26, and a 48-hourstrike was first scheduled for thefollowing weekend, October 30 and 31.

That action was suspended to allowthe possibility of talks through Acas,but at that point the company said itwould not talk unless we called off our

overtime ban, and the strike was re-secheduled for the following weekend.

That strike was a magnificent displayof solidarity, as once again ourmembers showed that there is nosubstitute for standing together in theface of an employer determined todivide and rule us.

And once again we have shown theimportance of a union in which allgrades stand united to defend eachother.

splay of solidarityRMT news – EWS d ispute

THE decision to take one-day strike on November 5 was not onewe have taken lightly, especially when it is the biggest strike ballotin a generation involving the whole of the civil service. But whenfaced with savage cuts of 104,000 civil and public service jobs,and the main political parties engaging in the obscene sport of whocan cut the most, oblivious to the disastrous impact such cuts willhave, somebody has to stand up and defend public services.

Just bureaucrats?Somebody has to challenge the misguided notion that civilservants are bowler hated bureaucrats with nothing better to doother than to push pens all day. Somebody has to stand up andchampion the work done by the thousands of hardworking peoplewho deliver vital public services that touch us all from cradle to thegrave. When the government are looking to make cuts on a scalenot seen since the attack on the miners, somebody has to say if

you want decent public services then you need the people todeliver them.

The course on which the government are embarking will damagethe very services they have sought to improve, impacting on someof Gordon Brown’s very own initiatives such as Sure Start, the NewDeal and Tax Credits, initiatives aimed at helping some of the mostvulnerable in society. Civil servants all work as a team on the frontand back line delivering initiatives such as Sure Start and deliveringthe things we take for granted, such as your driving licence or childbenefit, and protecting our shores against the influx of drugs.

Damaging servicesSo for the government to think it can cut a fifth of the civil servicearguing that it won’t have a detrimental affect on services becauseit will be the back room staff who get chopped is both insulting andnaive. As was the manner in which they were announced – the firsttranche out of the blue in the Budget with the grand totalannounced in a rather self-congratulatory tone by Gordon Brown inhis Spending Review.

It is therefore unsurprising that PCS members are angry. Angry atbeing left in limbo with still no real detail of where the axe will fall,fearful for their futures and unable to plan. Angry at beingdismissed as just a bunch of faceless bureaucrats and angry at thedamage such cuts will inflict on the very services they take pride indelivering.

These are real people delivering real services to real peopleaffecting our everyday lives. So you are left scratching your headwhen the government employs the rob Peter to pay Paul argumentas a basis to slash jobs, saying it will mean more for areas such ashealth, education and crime. You are left wondering about whatvalue key parts of the public service such as pension credit andwinter fuel payments are held in. The government are essentiallycreating a false divide and saying one part of the public sector ismore important than another. The result – poorer services deliveredfurther away from the very people they are meant to serve.

Taking a standThis is why as a union we are taking a stand. A stand that says ifyou want decent accessible public services you need civil servantsto deliver them. A stand which says that are no false divides inpublic service delivery and the work that civil and public servantsdo across the country is integral to every section of our society’slives. It is a stand in which we as a trade union movement and asmembers of society need to stand shoulder to shoulder, saying noto the cuts.

PCS General Secretary MarkSerwotka explains why hisunion launched strike actionon November 5 againstgovernment plans to cut over100,000 civil service jobs

Defendingpublicservices

RMT news – Publ ic serv ices

18

HERE TO SERVE: Civil servants provide essential front line services to the public

PUBLIC: PCS workers held a one-day strike earlier this month John Harris/reportdigital

UNDER SIEGE: Train Crew at Liverpool Street Station London. National Express Group PLC One, the new brandname of the franchise for East Anglia Trains. Photo: Duncan Phillips/reportdigital.co.uk

19

GUARDS ARE facing a new onslaught from the employers: all thesigns are there, and in some companies the attacks have alreadystarted. It will affect guards differently depending on whether theywork on inter-city, regional or commuter routes – but no-one is safe.In 2001 RMT won agreements from all the train-operatingcompanies on the ten demands of the Guard’s Charter.

All the TOCs pledged not to extend driver-only operation to theend of their franchises and agreed to refer the other nine points tothe Railway Safety and Standards Board(RSSB) to be risk assessed.

Several months later the RSSB rejected putting the guard backinto the Rule Book from which they had been removed just a weekbefore the Ladbroke Grove disaster.

After RMT’s campaign of industrial action in 2003 some TOCsagreed to support a new joint GNER/RMT submission but the RSSBsaid no.

GNER met with RSSB, which agreed to review the submission –in three to five years’ time. They also agreed to produce a ‘concept’document by the end of 2003 – but it hasn’t been done.

The RSSB has now told the union that it needs to review all 900Group Standards in the light of European Rail Directives, in aprocess stretching to the end of 2010.

The TOCs have long argued that the RSSB must be a ‘member-led organisation’ – in other words led by the TOCs – and that safetyregulation is too expensive. They have clearly got their way.

Matters have been made worse by the government’s proposals tobring the RSSB and the railways inspectorate into the Office of theRail Regulator. The union is obtaining opinion on a legal challenge toRSSB’s stewardship of safety in the industry.

A four-point campaign plan has been adopted by the union afterdiscussions between the union's Traincrew Conference LiaisonCommittee and the General Grades Committee's special traincrewsubcommittee.

The Guards' Charter is to be re-vamped and re-launched, and theunion will continue to pursue the legal aspects of the stewardship ofsafety in the industry by RSSB.

RMT’s 2001 ‘no extension of DOO’ agreements are in urgent needof renewal. Most TOCs have, since 2001, been refranchised or arebeing run under management contract or caretaker franchiseagreements lasting for up to two more years. Some have alreadybeen caught trying to erode the agreement.

There is a massive stock-replacement under way, especially in theLondon commuter area, which will trigger a ‘stock cascade’throughout the network. Some TOCs have already broken the partof their 2001 agreements which pledged that all new stock wouldbe wired to give full control of opening and closing of power-operated doors to the guard.

Most of this new stock is also wired to give setting-up/control ofthe selective door-open/close function exclusively to the driver. Thisis the thin end of a wedge leading to full door-control passing to thedriver. The government is going to review all its subsidies forregional railways and is to start offering financial incentives for bussubstitution.

This ‘bustitution’ – that would include light-rail and tram links – isbeing touted on the basis of DOO and the wholesale ‘easing’ ofsafety standards. This is the industrial reality, and it means thatguards must once more be prepared to defend themselves.

Guard’s role under siegeRMT assistant general secretaryPat Sikorski warns that thefragile truce over the role of theguard is coming to an end

RMT wins assurances fromFGW on role of the guardASSURANCES from First Great Westernthat protect the role of guards on multipleunits, won as part of this year's pay agree-ment, replicates an agreement alreadysigned off with the company.

It means that on ten-car multiple unitsof class 180 Adelante stock with no con-necting corridor, a guard will work in eachseparate unit. The agreement is not only inline with union policy for a guard on everytrain, but returns guards to services thathad previously been driver-only operated.

The original agreement with FGW tohave a guard on each section of a multipleunit was endorsed by last year's TrainCrew & Shunting Grades Conference as amodel for other train-operating companiesto follow.

Plans by Virgin Cross Country to gettrain managers to undertake self-despatchof trains have also been kicked into thelong grass following a strong interventionby RMT.

The company has agreed todefer plans for self-despatchuntil the end of the year,pending discussions withcompany council reps at bothVirgin Cross Country and VirginWest Coast.

Safety FirstSafetyFirstyFirst

Safe

tyaf

ety

Firs

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Guardsmustguard

Notification of Contribution Rates for 2005LIKE most things, the cost of providing you with the benefits of RMT membership increases every year. The increase for 2005 isover the rate of inflation to expand the union’s growing activities and provide a better service to you the members. As part of thisexpansion next year the union shall be employing a further two regional organisers, whose primary purpose is to give support tomembers.

From the January 1 2005 contributions will be increased by 18p per week, taking the full-time weekly rate to £2.83, for membersaged 18 or over in an adult post. For members who are under 18 years or who, if not in an adult post, are under 20 years of age,the weekly contribution rate will be held at the current level that is £1.33, the latter rate also applying to those staff on part-timecontracts of employment.

Direct debit payments will be increased accordingly as will contributions collected by employers under pay bill arrangements.Members who pay contributions to cash collectors will receive a new contribution card from the collector. The new rates applicable are as follows:

Period Adult/Full Time Junior/Part TimeWeekly £2.83 £1.334 Weekly £11.32 £5.30Monthly £12.26 £5.74

Provident benefitsAccident Benefit will also increase arising from the higher contribution rate and for Adult/Full Time members will be weekly £28.30with a maximum payable sum of £735.80

RMT maintain a tight control of costs and continually re-examine them to ensure that the union makes best use of resources todeliver improved services to you the member. The benefits of representation and protection at work and other benefits includingthe web site and this journal. RMT membership continues to provide excellent value for money.

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20

JUST this month two traindrivers, a train controller and arailway security guardemployed by Iraqi Railwayswere killed and their bodieswere mutilated when their trainwas attacked by an armedgroup. Three leading tradeunionists were also assasinatedon the road outside Baghdad.This is the stark reality forworkers and trade unionists inthe devastated, war-torncountry.

Late last year theheadquarters of the newly-formed Iraqi Federation ofTrade Unions(IFTU) in Baghdadwas raided by US soldiers whohooded and beat tradeunionists found inside.Occupation troops removeddocuments before smashing upwhat was left. Detained Iraqitrade unionists were onlyreleased after internationaltrade union protests.

New unionsThese new unions, emergingafter years of dictatorship andin place of the government-run“yellow” unions whichterrorised the workforce, faceenormous difficulties. Whilethey have scarcely any moneyor resources, the terriblecondition of the rail system andthe continuing acts of sabotageagainst the rail network meantrain drivers leaving Baghdadfor Basra on the daily servicehave no signalling system andrely on two way radios toregulate traffic. Bombs on theline are a daily occurrence,along with attacks and USoccupation forces are

incapable of securing the line.The US transnational Bechtelnow runs the Iraqi rail sectorand is in the process ofprivatising the industry throughsub-contracting to British andUS firms.

IFTU European represen-tative Abdullah Muhsin saidfrom the start the federationopposed the war and is for awithdrawal of foreign forces inorder to build a sovereign,secular and democratic Iraq. Itis also now fighting against theprivatisation of Iraqi industries.

RebuildingHe said that against all theodds the IFTU has established12 national unions in keysectors from oil and gasworkers, rail workers,communications, mechanics,printing and a construction andwoodworkers union.

Abdullah, who himself wasforced to flee Iraq for tradeunion activities and lived inexile for many years, said thatthe IFTU was now working veryclosely with the KurdishConfederation of Trade Unionsto draw up new labour lawsthat conform with core international conventions.

“Saddam was a catastrophethat crashed down on the oncemighty Iraqi labour movement.

“Today the IFTU have to raisemoney to send a travellingtheatre bus on tour in Iraq,performing plays that tell Iraqiworkers what trade unions are.

“This was necessarybecause Saddam transformedtrade unions into brutal agentsof the state police and

recruiting sergeants for hiswars.

“All independent unions werecrushed and their leaderskilled, imprisoned or exiled andstooge unions replaced them.

“So we are starting againand rebuilding and wedesperately need your help,”he said.

Solidarity The recent TUC Congress inBrighton agreed to support theIFTU in its work and backedthe federation’s positionagainst the war and theoccupation of Iraq. Delegatesalso condemned the abuse andtorture of Iraqi prisoners by thecoalition forces, and called foran audit of the cost of theinvasion and occupation.

“Congress believes it is nowmore vital than ever to support

the new independent tradeunion movement as anessential force in the creationof a secular, democratic Iraq,”it said.

● To find out more go towww.iraqitradeunions.org

SOLIDARITY: Bob Crow with AbdullahMushin of the IFTU

Supportingfree tradeunions in Iraq

UNITED: from left to right: TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, Secretary ofState for International Development Hilary Benn MP, TUC president Jeannie Drake,

President Basra Electricity and Energy Union Hashimia Muhsin Hussein andGeneral Secretary of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions Subhi Al Mashadani.

THE TUC has launched an appeal to raisemuch needed money for Iraqi trade unions.You can help build a strong, free trade unionmovement in Iraq with a donation, or regularcontribution, personally or from your unionbranch online at www.tuc.org.uk/iraqappeal.

Donations to this site receive gift aid taxrelief, which can add an extra 29 per centto their value. Or send a cheque, payableto “TUC Iraq appeal” to Iraq Appeal, TUC,Congress House, London, WC1B 3LS.

21

Iraqi trade unionists are fighting against the privatisation of their industries

WHAT are the issues that matterto women at work? Many of theissues that concern us are thesame that concern our male

colleagues – pay, hours, safety, and more.But there are some that just affect women,and some that women have a particularperspective on.

At the recent Special RMT Women’sConference, delegates put forward theirviews.

The new Women’s Page in RMT News isa good forum to air these issues. The pointis not just to moan, but to identify thedemands that we want our union to takeup and fight for. One of these issues

should be access to adequate toiletfacilities.

Women train drivers report having todrive for up to six hours without a loobreak, because there are fewer facilities forwomen than for men. To make mattersworse, controllers can be uncooperativeand unpleasant to women who ask for a“physical needs break/relief” (PNB/PNR),and often the toilets are often substandard.Women workers deserve better than this: itis a matter of basic dignity at work.

There should be proper allowancesmade for the menopause and menstrualproblems.

Going through “the change” or experi-

encing problem periods can be a toughtime for women. What we do not need isoppressive sickness policies or rude andintrusive managers. We need sensitivityand support, and if our duties need to bealtered at that particular time, then so be it.

There should be procedures for dealingwith sexual harassment that actually work.

More and more companies have a policywhich looks good on paper, but unionmembers have often found problemsincluding: managers getting ‘let off lightly’for harassment in comparison to staff; andcomplaints taking a very long time to beresolved.

Women also need appropriate andcomfortable uniform and there should befemale representatives on all uniformcommittees.

Proper risk assessments andmanagement of pregnancy and newmotherhood is required as well asappropriate adjustments made to ourhours and work. That means adequatechildcare provision and fairness towardsworkers with kids.

Although we now have ‘domestic leave’,it is unpaid, so if your kid is ill and youhave to miss work, you lose your wages.Whilst transport employers say they wantto recruit more women, they will notsuccessfully recruit and retain female staffuntil they provide workplace nurseries.

Protection from assault is a demand thataffects both women and men, and is apriority concern for many women. Thereneeds to be an end to lone working, with aminimum of two staff on duty at anystation. And employers should providedoor-to-door taxis for people workingextreme shifts.

Despite ‘equal pay’ legislation, women’shourly pay rate is still 19.5 per cent lessthan men’s. Women need a big pay rise forthe lowest-paid grades, where manywomen work eg. cleaning, catering. I hopethat this article will start the ball rolling. ● Contributions to the RMT news women’spage can be sent to Women’s page, Unity House. 39 Chalton Street, LondonNWI 1JD or e-mailed tobdenny@rmt.org.uk

WOMEN ANDTHE UNION

RMT news – Women

Janine Booth of the National Women's AdvisoryCommittee airs her views on the union’s recent

women’s conference

Special women’s recall conference reportRMT held a special women’s conferencelast May and a recall conference lastmonth in order to listen to and learn fromfemale members. As a union, we knowthat to be truly representative, all ourmembers’ voices must be heard. The bestway of achieving this, is for members tofully participate in union activities. As

women form a minority of members(about 10 per cent), RMT

acknowledges that it needs to work withthem to ensure this happens. That was thepurpose of the first special conferenceand the purpose of the special recallconference, to report back on the workdone since May including:-

● A women’s page now appears in eachedition of RMT News ● A survey on childcare needs and

encouraging women’s participation isunderway● Branches have been asked what theyare doing to encourage participation● every woman member is to betelephoned to encourage participation● we have written to every companyabout childcare provision● campaigning to improve the rights onflexible working22

● we want to set up a web pagedetailing what companies actually do inrespect of flexible working● fighting a test case about ParentalLeave in the Court of Appeal.

The list is not exhaustive.What was clearfrom the latest conference was that therewas still much more to do. A Women’snewsletter was published just prior to theconference and one delegate rightlypointed out that it had concentrated onchildcare issues. It did so because thatreflected the focus of our women activists.What about menopausal women and theirproblems was a question asked by a busdriver delegate. This illustrates exactlywhy the union needs to encourageactivism. The union wants women to flagup the problems facing them. RMT isready to listen and want to provide forumsfor this to happen.

Advisory committeeRMT already has a national women’sadvisory committee, made up of womenmembers from all over the country. Theirjob is to advise those who take decisionsabout issues facing women. This year theunion the highest number ever on thecommittee. But this is not enough. Whyare there no women from the North East?Why is there only one woman from the

North West and North Wales? It would becomforting to think that women in theseareas do not have any problems. If so, canthey please share their secret of success?

National advisory committees areessential, but RMT needs to ensure thatthey connect with ordinary memberswithin their regions and at branch level.That is precisely why the union wants toestablish regional advisory committeesand, indeed, branch advisory committeesto create dialogue between womenmembers. This will enable the problemsfacing ordinary members to be channelledup and across the union.

RMT has been encouraging regionalcouncils to set up committees. To date,RMT only know of sister Glen Burrows inthe South Wales and South West Regionwho is working hard to get womeninterested. RMT wish her well, but thisshould be happening in all the regions.This illustrates the importance of workingtogether to take things forward. Plea afterplea can be sent out from head office, butwithout pressure from ordinary womenmembers, change will be slow.

Voicing concernsThe recall conference gave women theopportunity to voice their concerns andgenerally share ideas and was a positiveevent. RMT want to extend that

opportunity to all women members. Thenew advisory committees will provide thatopportunity – they can be as formal orinformal as members want.

Don’t forget that in addition to thespecial conferences, the annual women’sconference will take place on March 22005 in the Bournemouth area. Full detailswill be sent out shortly. You will need toattend your branch or speak to yourbranch secretary to ensure you arenominated.

Remember, history shows that changefor the better is achieved by being active.Make sure you voice is heard. For fulldetails of the special conferences, visit ourwebsite on www.rmt.org.uk.

23

RMT news – Women

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24

AVERY important gathering of people from all over Europe took placelast month at venues across London. There were three days of debate,celebration and protest with an alternative agenda for Europe and theworld, collectively known as the European Social Forum.

This alternative vision was one that believed in an end to eternal war and for theneed for global peace and justice without racism.

They reflected a popular belief that public services should exist not for privateprofit but for public gain. The ESF also reflected the need for a world of equalityand diversity on a sustainable planet. The over 30,000-strong event was organisedby a host of groups including the TUC and trade unions such as the RMT, theGreater London Assembly and a host of protest and pressure groups opposed toprivatisation and corporate greed. In the run up to the G8 next year, the ESFcreated the right kind of momentum to ensure that our demands are put forwardand heard by those in power

However, despite the massive size of the event some could be forgiven for notbeing aware that it was even going on. This was because there was a completelack of coverage by our so-called “democratic media” with a few honourableexceptions.

What a contrast a few days later when the “leaders” of European states signedup to the proposed constitution for the European Union in Rome. This wasdeemed to be “big” news despite the fact that no-one has called for such adocument, which was drawn up in secret by those federalist elites that believe inthe creation of an undemocratic and authoritarian superstate called Europe.

The fact is that working people need this constitution like turkeys needChristmas.

Far from ensuring workers’ rights and decent public services, this constitution is a privatisers’ charter that will do nothing to stop governments maintaining anti-union laws.

If adopted it will effectively outlaw attempts by governments to roll back theyears of privatisation and attacks on public services, and will force membercountries to remain on the neo-liberal economic treadmill. It effectively outlawssocialist policies at a stroke.

Public opinion in Britain is demanding a return to a publicly owned, publiclyfunded and publicly accountable railway, yet the EU is marching us in the oppositedirection.

Opening up Europe’s railways to competition will pit worker against worker andcan only force pay and conditions down – and that is exactly what Europe’s bossclass wants.

The Scottish Executive is already using EU rules to force CaledonianMacBrayne’s essential ferry routes in Scotland into an unnecessary tenderingprocess.

Delegates at the TUC and Labour Party conferences voted recently to end railprivatisation but the government has decided to ignore these popular calls.Therefore, RMT has decided to take to the road in the run up to the generalelection next year to draw attention to the disaster of rail privatisation. The RailAgainst Privatisation campaign will involve a nationalmarch next spring beginning from various points fromScotland to Cornwall. So get your walking bootsready.

Our shipping members are once more in a strugglewith P&O to defend over 1200 jobs at Portsmouth,Dover and Hull and these members need all thesupport they can get.

Members at the rail freight company EWS haveshown what can be achieved. Following a ground-breaking court victory against the company’s attemptto ban strike action, EWS have dropped their divisiveplans that threatened the job security of our members.

The lesson is that nothing will change unless westand up and be counted and believe that you canmake a difference as a member of a campaigningunion.

Stand up andbe counted

25

Send form to Finance DeptRMT, Unity House, 39 Chalton St. London NW1 1JD

HALF PRICE

RMT President Tony Donagheyspeaking at the European Social

Forum last month

Brittany Ferries totake P&O routesFRENCH P&O employeesdemonstrated in Cherbourgfollowing the British operator’sdecision to abandon its westernand centre Channel routes exceptPortsmouth-Bilbao. FrenchChannel operator Brittany Ferries(BAI) will maintain capacity fromCherbourg and transformnumerous short-term contracts atCherbourg into full-time jobs.About 70 Cherbourg-based P&Oemployees lose their jobs.

BAI said it would take over theUK operator’s commercialactivity, but not its “errors ofstrategy and management whichin a few years would lead to thesame disastrous results”. It willoperate the Cherbourg-Portsmouth route with a fastferry with more vehicle andfreight capacity than P&O’sCherbourg Express catamaran. Itis also taking over P&O’s LeHavre-Portsmouth service, saving350 British seafaring jobs. FromJanuary, BAI’s Val de Loire willservice the route with either thePride of Portsmouth or Pride ofLe Havre 1,650-passenger sisterships that presently operates fromLe Havre. The P&O vessels will berenamed respectively Etretat andHonfleur.

Dutch unions rejectbenefits reduction MORE than 250,000 peopledemonstrated in Amsterdam lastmonth in the largest anti-government protest for 20 years.Organised by the three DutchTUCs, demonstrators ralliedagainst the right-winggovernment’s plans to reducepensions and health spendingwhile raising taxes. The actionwas preceded by a 24-hourtransport and public servicesstrike.

The measures include an endto early retirement provisions anda bid to stop making collectiveagreements binding, somethingwhich protects pay levels andwhich has long been part of theDutch industrial relations system.

French unions indispute with SNCF

The French rail unions and

management (SNCF) met again inOctober to discuss wages and apossible dispute preventionmechanism. The SNCF agreed todraft a revised document givingmore access to management torank-and-file union represen-tatives.

The SNCF has also agreed tounion demands to re-open wagenegotiations following therejection by most unions of aproposed 1.5 per cent across-the-board rise for 2004 after noincrease last year. But a large gapremains between the mainunion’s demands and themanagement offer. The CGT, thebiggest of the eight French railunions, claim is for six per centto make up for lost purchasingpower over the last few years.

Belgium set to closeone-third of stationsBELGIAN rail unions areconcerned over job lossesfollowing reports from SNCB,Belgium’s rail operator,suggesting that 200 of its 530stations should be closed. Thepreliminary report states that thestations in question are used byless than 3 per cent of passengersand could go in a cost-cuttingexercise to reduce its deficitahead of opening the passengerrail sector to competition. MostBelgian routes cover less than

100km long and four-fifths ofSNCB’s operations concern thecountry’s 10 busiest stations.

SNCB is also consideringceasing ticket and season ticketsales in a number of smallstations. It has already introducedthe measure to 275 stations thatno longer have ticket-sales staff. Itis advocating extending its ticketsales to the internet, a system itestablished last spring. SNCBreports a 7 per cent increase inpassenger traffic in the first halfof this year, due mainly to theintroduction of free travel forcivil servants and the staff ofpublicly-owned companies. Theministries and companiesinvolved fund the scheme thatfrom January 1 2005 is to beextended to privately ownedfirms that agree to pay 80 percent of the cost.

France seafarersprotest at job losses MORE than 100 peopledemonstrated in Brest against thereflagging of the Léon Thevenin,the third of France TelecomMarine’s (FTM) cable layers fromthe full French flag to itsKergulen second register.Madagascar nationals arereplacing 160 French ratings.About half the ratings have eitherbeen granted early retirementprovisions or been reclassified to

land jobs at France Telecom. Theremaining 80 will be paid theyhave been found jobs.

FTM last year de-flagged itstwo other cable layers. Under theFTM collective agreement Frenchratings work eight weeks on,eight weeks off. While theoperator will pay the Madagascarseafarers France’s minimumwage, they must work six monthsat sea with six weeks leave.

Italians promise ‘hotautumn’ITALY’S three TUCs and especiallytheir rail and transport affiliates,have promised the right-winggovernment a “hot autumn”against the 2005 budget andpensions package which increasesfrom 35 to 40 the number ofyears of contributions beforereceiving a full pension.

Union action in three massiveunited demonstrations andstoppages slowed governmentplans to reform the state pensionssystem which now starts in 2008after the measure was forcedthrough parliament in vote ofconfidence to prevent the collapseof millionaire media mogul SilvioBerlusconi’s five-party coalitionfor the ninth time since January.The unions are now consideringaction against the cost-cuttingdraft budget presently beingdiscussed in parliament.

EUROPEANROUND-UP

Greek trade union banners on an Anti-war demonstration to mark the end of the European Social Forum held atAlexandra Palace in north London last month. © Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk

26

European Social Forum comes to London

THE Scottish Executive hasannounced a review of NHSprescription charges.

My colleague, Colin FoxMSP, the Scottish SocialistParty representative for theEdinburgh area has lodged aBill in the Scottish Parliamentwhich seeks to abolish the“tax on ill health” altogether.

The response to his Bill hasbeen overwhelminglysupportive. Dozens of healthgroups, medical professionalsand patients’ organisationssay that the £6.40 chargeprevents people from gettingthe treatment they need.Indeed the Citizens AdviceBureau in Scotland estimatesthat as many as 70,000 Scotseach year are going withoutthe drugs they need becausethey cannot afford them.

Prescription charges havebeen around for 50 years but

the writing is now on the wallfor them. Last year the WelshAssembly voted to abolish thecharges because they weredeterring people from gettingtreatment.

A new report by the SocialMarket foundation reminds usthat the demand forprescription charges comesfrom the Treasury, not fromthe medical profession, whocontinue to campaign for theirremoval.

People write to us in theirhundreds about the difficultiesthey face with these charges.Some are on Invalidity Benefitand yet still have to pay fortheir treatment. Others arechronically sick but aresuffering from one of themany conditions notexempted by NHS regulationsfrom paying the £6.40 chargeper prescription item. All thosepatients have one thing incommon and that is they face

real hardship in trying to paytheir bill.

Pharmacists will tell you ofpatient after patient who asksthem whether there is acheaper alternative, or if it ispossible to have only two ofthe three or four medicinesprescribed for them.

The regulations governingwho is and isn’t exempt havenot been reviewed since 1968.The Scottish Executiveaccepts that this situation canno longer be tolerated.However, they insist thatoutright abolition will not beconsidered. They argue thatwould mean people who canafford to pay denying the NHSmuch-needed resources.

We are even accused, associalists, of seeking “a freehandout for the rich.” Thenonsense is that the rich, byand large, can already get freemedicines under current rules.

Rich people over 60 forexample – of which there areone or two like the queen andPrince Philip – are alreadyentitled to free prescriptions.Similarly, rich patients withcertain conditions likediabetes are entitled to free

medicines. In fact it is those on very

modest incomes that willsuffer. People with conditionslike asthma or cancer ormental health problems areforced to go without criticalmedicines.

I am in favour of paying forthe NHS out of generaltaxation, if that means the richpaying a bit more income taxthen that’s fine by me.

The cost of abolition wouldbe around £40 million. Thiscould be financed out of awindfall tax on the obsceneprofits made by drugscompanies out of the NHS.

I believe Scots really wantto follow the Welsh and seethe complete abolition ofcharges. One recent poll putsupport at 89 per cent.

The Scottish Campaign toRemove All PrescriptionCharges (SCRAP) has startedto hold public meetingsacross Scotland. Prescriptioncharges are a disease at theheart of the NHS which eatsaway at the boast that ourNHS was available toeveryone regardless of incomeand background.

Abolish taxon ill-health

By TOMMY SHERIDAN MSP

27

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£25 Prize Crossword No. 10

Send entries to Prize crossword, RMT, Unity House, 39Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD by December 6 with yourname and address. Winner and solution in next issue.

set by Elk

Winner of prize crosswordNo. 8 is Craig Diggins inNorth London

Last month’s solution

Dear editor,I am writing to you with regards toan article that appeared in theSeptember issue of the RMT News.

This item was discussed at ourbranch for various reasons, firstly,over the word ‘youth’, and also asthe article seemed to imply that oneof our branch representatives wasnot taking the annual YoungMembers conference seriously.

Firstly, with regards to the word‘youth’. At the Young Membersconference held in Plymouth, amotion called on the union toreplace all references to youth with‘young members’.This wassubsequently passed. Decisionnumber CE188 states ‘That we noteand adopt the report in full’ – the

report being that ‘We recommendthat the General Secretary beinstructed to adopt the resolution infull, and that all references to ‘Youth’in RMT material be replaced by‘Young members’. However, thearticle on page 5 is entitled Youth onthe move. Our branch finds thisunacceptable.The continued use ofthe word ’Youth’ undermines notonly our branch’s original motion,but the democratic decision taken bythe council of executives.

Secondly, we must take issue withthe naming of one of our branchrepresentative Dave Giles. Despitewhat the article seems to imply,myself, and Dave Giles, have spokento Ray Spry-Shute, who assures usthat he never pointed out that either

Dave Giles, or Kath Dulson were nottaking the course seriously formoving a motion concerning jellyand ice cream. Indeed, it is not whatthe motion was about, but whetherthe speakers could win the motionthrough debate that should be theissue. For cheap shots to be taken atDave, who does a difficult enoughjob representing members againstmanagement attacks as it is, from hisown union’s publication, we findnothing short of disgraceful.

Our branch has been proud of theinvolvement of our young members.It’s a shame that some members ofthe RMT, and the RMT News, do notfeel the same.

Yours in solidarity,Jason Humphreys

Jubilee South & East London Line BranchSecretary

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Letters to the editor

RMT activists from Yorkshire, the north east and Cumbriaattended the funeral last month of Probyn “Charlie” Farr (centreof picture) who passed away on October 7 2004.

Charlie may have talked with a London accent and went toschool in Wandsworth but it was in the North Yorkshire town ofSkipton and across Arriva Trains Northern that he will be knownfor his loyalty and work for RMT.

Charlie was a key figure in the 14 month Arriva TrainsNorthern conductors, station and retail pay disputes. He was afamiliar sight on the picket line at Skipton and further afield.

He was a keen traveller and recently visited Cuba. Charlie’s funeral at St Mary’s Church, Carleton, nr Skipton

was attended by work colleagues, managers, companycouncillors and staff reps from across the north.

RMT’s Union Learning Fund project manager Scarlet Harris(centre) visited Italian railway workers and trade unionistsas part of a TUC delegation last month. The visit washosted by CGIL (Italian General Confederation of Workers).

During their stay the delegation visited the central signalstation at Termini station. Considering the heavy traffic atthe station (600 freight trains and 800 passenger trainspassing through the station every day), Italian signalworkers were justifiably proud of their 88 per centpunctuality record.

When in Rome....

The late Probyn ‘Charlie’ Farr

TURKISH Transport Workers’ Union TUMTIS president SabriTopcu called in at Unity House last month for discussions withRMT general secretary Bob Crow and president Tony Donaghey.

A tribute to Paul Foot 1937 – 2004“The great are great only because we are on our knees. Let usrise!” Camille Desmoulins

Paul Foot, one of the finest socialist journalists writers/speakers ofour time, sadly died on July 18 2004. A member of the SocialistWorkers Party and ex-editor of Socialist Worker, Paul was more thana brilliant writer, he was a campaigner against injustice and a classfighter. As fellow journalist, trade unionist (NUJ) and friend JohnPilger said at Paul’s Memorial in October “Paul was all of thesethings because of his politics not in spite of them”.

Paul contributed to a vast range of publications (Private Eye, DailyMirror, The Guardian, London Review of Books etc) and was theauthor of many significant books, including Harold Wilson, EnochPowell, Hanratty, Colin Wallace, Red Shelley, and more.

In 2000 he was voted Campaigning Journalist of the Decade. TheWhat the Papers Say Awards described Paul as “a journalist whostuck closely to his principles and, to the chagrin of the authorities,has been proven right time and again”. The Daily Mirroracknowledged “There are more people walking the streets of Britainwho have been freed from prison by Paul Foot than any otherperson.”

Paul’s combination of passion, anger and humour in politics wasonly matched by his honesty. Once Paul was attacked from the floorof a meeting, accused of being middle class, he replied: “I’m rulingclass. I choose to be a traitor to my class because they disgust me.”

The feeling was mutual, his significance however, they could notignore. That is why the Economist, the bosses’ magazine, clearlyrecognised the political tradition in which Paul stood:

“The tradition of radical journalism goes back a long way inBritain, to William Hazlitt, William Cobbett, Tom Paine, JohnWilkes and beyond. These 18th and 19th century essayists andpamphleteers were not self-described neutral observers who meticu-lously separated facts from opinions, discarded the opinions and thenleft readers to form their own judgements. They were committedcampaigners who had a point of view and made no apologies forexpressing it. Mr. Foot was in that tradition.”

Paul used his journalistic skills to bring the spirit of the struggleinto every article and speech he made, exposing the machinations ofthe upper classes, and conveying socialist ideas in a language thatwas accessible to people who had never come across them before.

At Paul’s funeral, whilst many of us mourned the death of such asignificant and brilliant contributor to socialism, you could almosthear Paul complaining, quoting Joe Hill: “Don’t mourn, Organise!”

The final words must, however, go to Paul’s favourite poet,Shelley

Rise like Lions after slumberIn unvanquishable number - Shake your chains to earth like dew Which in sleep had fallen on you - Ye are many - they are few.

Unjum Mirza

Activists’ cornerDispatches ■■■■■■

29

There are two methods of supplying us with the documentation:-METHOD 1 Send or take your original documents, 1 from List A & 1 from List B, direct to RMT Credit, Unity House,FREEPOST, 39 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD. If sending valuable documents such as your passport or current fullUK Driving Licence we strongly advise sending them by recorded delivery. We will photocopy the originals and returnthem to you.METHOD 2 Take one original document from list A and one from list B to your Branch Secretary or any of the aboveapproved persons listed below:-

● Delegated Officer of the Branch● Divisional Organiser● Executive Committee Member● Credit Union Officer● Post Master / Sub Post Master ■ Person with honours / peerage● Authorised Financial Intermediary ■ Full Time Trade Union Official● Councillor (local or county) ■ Member of Parliament● Minister of Religion ■ Justice of the Peace● Commissioner for oaths ■ Lawyer● Banker ■ Teacher● Doctor ■ Accountant● Police Officer ■ Dentist

The Branch Secretary or other approved person will check the original documentation; will take a photocopy, sign, andBranch stamp.All proof of identity / address must bear your name, and not be solely in the name of partner etc; but canbe in addition to their name.

Satisfactory proof of identity will include, but not be limited to the following:LIST (A)

Current signed Passport.Current Full UK old style Driving Licence (not old style Provisional Licence) [if not used as evidence of address].Original Inland Revenue tax notification e.g. tax assessment, statement of account, notice of coding – valid for current year.Pension Book or Benefits Book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency confirming your right to benefits (if not used asevidence of address). Shotgun or firearms certificate.ID pass and safety cards for the following companies: Network Rail, Trans Pennine Express, Central Trains Discharge Book (shippers only - current).

Satisfactory proof of address will include, but not be limited to the following:LIST (B)

Original Local Authority Council Tax bill valid for the current year.Current UK photo card Driving Licence.Current Full UK old style Driving Licence (not old style Provisional Licence).A Utility Bill e.g. Electricity, Gas, Water or Telephone bills. These must be originals and less than 3 months old. Mobile ‘phone billsare NOT acceptable. Bank, building society or credit union statement – within last 3 months.Mortgage statement from a recognised lender – within last 12 months. Pension Book or Benefits Book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency confirming your right to benefits (if not used asevidence of address). Original Inland Revenue tax notification, letter, notice of coding, P60 or P45.Original housing association or letting agency tenancy agreement.Local council rent card or tenancy agreementOriginal Solicitor’s letter confirming recent house purchase or Land Registry confirmation.Household and motor Insurance certificates - current

How do I join theCredit Union?To join the RMT Credit Union you need to fill in an application form and supply us with proof of youridentity and address. Being an existing RMT member, you may wonder why we need proof of who youare and where you live. It is because the Financial Services Authority, in an attempt to combat MoneyLaundering, has imposed strict identification rules on anyone wishing to open a Bank or Building Societyaccount. Unfortunately, it has applied the same rules and regulations to Credit Unions.

Credit Union accounts may only be opened and transactions accepted when verification of identity and address has been completed and cross-referenced against RMT membership.We areusing the method of Direct Debit only and money will be deducted from your bank account on the 28th of each month. Please return completed forms and ID documentation, as weneed to make sure you comply with the money laundering regulations. Failing to complete all forms and ID documentation will delay us from setting up your savings account.30

MEMBERSHIP NUMBER

Finance Department, Unity House, 39 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JDRMT CREDIT UNION APPLICATION FORM – please complete your

application along with the attached Direct Debit.

P l e a s e u s e B L O C K C A P I TA L S and black ink.

1 PERSONAL DETAILS.

Surname Address

Forename(s)

Home phone

Mobile phone Postcode

Email address

Date of Birth National Insurance Number

2 Your Employment.

Employer RMT Branch

Job Description

3 Mr Mrs Ms Miss

4 Membership Status

RMT TU Member Retired RMT TU Member

5 How much do you wish to save £ This is the amount you wish to save in ‘shareholdings’ monthly by

Direct Debit (you must complete form below)

6 Normally your payments are made once a month (28th) to RMT Credit Union Ltd.

7 Next of Kin .....................................................................................

Address .....................................................................................

.....................................................................................

.....................................................................................

8 I undertake to abide by the rules now in force or those that are adopted.

Your signature Date

Instruction to your Bank orBuilding Society to pay by Direct Debit

Please fill in the whole form including official use box using a ball point pen andSend to: RMT Credit Union Ltd., 39 Charlton Street, London NW1 1JD

Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society

Originator’s Identification Number

Reference Number

FOR RMT CREDIT UNION LTD OFFICIAL USE ONLYThis is not part of the the instruction to your Bank or Building Society.

To: The Manager Bank/Building Society

Address

Postcode

Signature(s)

Date

Name(s) of Account Holder(s)

Bank/Building Society account number

Branch Sort Code

Instructions to your Bank or Building Society.Please pay RMT Credit Union Ltd Direct Debits for the account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguardsassured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with RMT Credit Union Ltd, ifso, details will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society.

Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions from some types of account

This guarantee should be detached and retained by the Payer.

The Direct Debit Guarantee● This guarantee is offered by all Banks and Building Societies that take part in the Direct Debit Scheme.The efficiency and security of the scheme is monitored and protected by your own Bank or

Building Society.● If the amounts to be paid or the payment date changes, RMT Credit Union Ltd will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed● If an error is made by RMT Credit Union Ltd or your Bank or Building Society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid● You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by writing to your Bank or Building Society. Please also send a copy of your letter to us.

✂

9 7 4 2 8 1

RMT CREDIT UNION LTD.

31

If you have any concerns speak to your health and safety representative

or phone the RMT helpline 00880000 337766 33770066

AsbestosExposure to asbestos is causing at least

3,500 deaths a year. The law now requiresemployers to establish where it is present.

Is your workplace safe?